Automatic electronic control mechanism



Nov. 11, 1952 D. c. PORTER AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL MECHANISM 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 8. 1947 INVENTOR. fion'Q/a 61 Par/2r EQQ EhxflTTORNEYS Nov. 11, 1952 Flled Oct 8, 1947 D. c. PORTER 2,617,483

- AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL MECHANISM Nov. 11, 1952 Filed 001.- 8,1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. m D022 0/4 61 For)?!" ATTOR'NE YsPatented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC ELECTRONICCONTROL MECHANISM 15 Claims.

My invention relates to an automatic electronic control mechanism.

More particularly, my invention relates to an automatic electroniccontrol mechanism which is operated by the product being processed. Forexample, the stock being processed may be such as requires being severedinto units of predetermined varying or uniform dimensions, and as it isconveyed on belts, the advancing edge of the stock is employed to tripthe clipper or knife mechanism by intercepting a light beam. In short,under such circumstances, the device of my invention becomes anelectrical measuring device.

For purposes of clearnes-s and definiteness, I shall describe myinvention as applied to metering plywood laminae or veneer sheets inconnecti-on with mechanism for clipping the same into panels ofpredetermined dimensions, vary ing or uniform. However, it is to beunderstood that my invention is not limited to any such specificapplication, but is applicable to all situations where the sameconditions obtain in whole or in part.

In the manufacture of plywood panels (1. e., the assembly of veneerpieces), the veneer or plywood laminae sheet is peeled from the log,being rotary cut, and is conveyed from the peeling mechanism by suitableconveyor means, as belts, in a long continuous sheet, or strip. Thecontinuous sheet, as it comes from the peeler, is commonly six, eight,ten or twelve feet in width and is to be cut by the clipper knife intopanels, when quality permits, 48" finished width, and six, eight, ten ortwelve feet long. The width of the continuous peeled sheet forms thesix, eight, ten or twelve feet length of the plywood panel unit. Commonwidths of the clipped veneer sheet between imperfections are suchdimensions that multiple units will add, for example, to 48 finished.The said continuous sheet of veneer as it comes from the peelermechanism, has certain imperfections resultingfrom various causes suchaskno-ts, and these portions having imperfections must be removed. Forthis purpose, a clipper is operated to out two 24 or one 12" and one 36"or three 16" widths of the veneer sheet to make 48" total width when the.said veneer clipped pieces are assembled into the finished plywoodpanel. The clipped width as 124', 12", 36" and 16 are all finisheddimensions without allowance for shrinkage or trim, so that actually thecut is enough larger to allow for said shrinkage and trimming. Theclipper cuts crosswise of the sheet and, therefore, cuts out strips six,eight, ten or twelve feet wide. For purposes of description herein, wewill hereinafter assume that the plywood laminae or veneer sheet ispeeled from a log eight feet in length. The width of the scrap stripvaries according to the width of the imperfection. It is, therefore,exceedingly important that the clipper cut as close as possible to eachside of the imperfection so as not to waste more of the stock than isnecessary. It will be understood that the sheet of veneer or plywoodlaminae ordinarily travel-s at a rate of to feet per minute, but with myinvention this speed has been increased to to feet per minute, withincreased accuracy and economy of dimensional cuts. The clip-pingoperation may occur as often as thirtysix (36) times per minutes, ormore, in connection with cutting out imperfections and cutting thepanels; therefore, any failure to cut at the proper location causes agreat waste of material.

Accordingly, a primary purpose of my invention is to avoid waste byproviding as one feature, a clipper control means which will operate theclipper substantially instantaneously so that there is little or nolapse of time between the operation of the clipper and the time when theclipper mechanism is set in operation for clipping.

Prior devices which have been proposed to measure the panel and operatethe knife to provide such dimensional cuts have had serious objections.A roller has been provided for such metering whereby when said rollercontacts the wood it is revolved and its perimeter is employed as ametering means todetermine the dimension; however, in such device,slippage is involved. The plywood sheet being wet, other inaccuraciesarise besides slippage: f-or example, non-uniformity of feed andirregularities in thickness of the sheet arisin where a detached chipmay engage such prior art roller causing the same to jump or slip.Further objection.

arises from tearing the surface of the plywood laminae as occurs when atoothed roller is employed to avoid slippage. Thus, a further primaryobject of my invention is to provide a means which is entirelyindependent of nonuniformity of feed of the sheet, as well asindependent of slippage.

A still furthe primary object of my invention is to provide a clippercontrol mechanism which, when desired, may be operated automatically bythe advancing sheet of veneer whereby human control and delay incidentto nerve responses may be eliminated.

A further primary object of my invention is to provide for an electroniccontrol mechanism which embodies a single electronic cell subject tobeing operated by a plurality of lighting means or lamps through theintermediate means of light reflectors.

A further primary object of my invention is to provide an electroniccontrol means which provides for a plurality of units of d-iiferentmetered dimensions and at the same time the units are movable in suchspaced relation to each other that the control mechanism operates onlywhen said spaced relationship is of a predetermined magnitude. That is,all the lamps are energized up to and including the desired dimensionsor distance from the clipper knife as will be hereinafter more fully setforth.

The clipper mechanism is operated by an operator standing alongside themoving control sheet. That portion of the sheet which contains theimperfection is removed by cutting out a section or piece measuringapproximately the width of the imperfection and the width of the veneersheet as peeled. To avoid wastage of the product it is thus obvious thatit is important that the clipper should be subject to precise control sothat the panels of greatest clear width (measured longitudinally ofadvancing sheet) shall be obtained. At the present time, the operationof the clipper results in great wastage of the peeled veneer sheet, i.e., stock which represents considerable investment and is relativelyvaluable being from selected logs characterized by their clear grain,uniformity of fiber and size. These peeling logs, it will be understood,moreover, are only that portion of the tree having the minimum of limbsbecause limbs mean knots in the peeled veneer sheet.

As stated above, the single sheet must be cut into predetermined sizesas set forth. These, it will be understood, are finished dimensions, asexplained above, when the veneer pieces are laid up or assembled intoplywood products or panel.

The feeding means employed with my invention, causing the sheet totravel is not stopped at the time of the engagement of the clipper knifewith the sheet during the moment of clipping. However, there is amomentary stoppage by the knife (even though operating instantaneously)of the sheet which causes a slight bulging in the sheet, and then thesheet continues on its course as soon as the knife is raised fromengagement with the sheet, and the bulge then straightens out. Theaverage number of clips per minute is about 36. With a necessarilyinvolved wastage of some two inches per clip with some commonly employedprior art devices, it is evident that two times 36 makes 72 inches, and72 divided by 12 gives 6 lineal feet. In other words, there is a wastageof six lineal feet per minute. The 6 feet wastage is in line of travel,and there is the width of the single sheet coming from the peeled logwhich may be about six, eight, ten or twelve feet. Taking 8 feet times 6feet, in linear direction of travel, we have 48 square feet of veneerwastage per minute. Multiplying this by 480 minutes per day we have some23,000 square feet of veneer or plywood laminae of highly valuable stockwasted per day.

It is my object to provide a machine which can cut to a small fractionof an inch in error as opposed to two inches by such commonly employedmachines. The reason for even the small wastage in my invention isv dueto the fact that the clipper knife, as presently constructed, cannotreciprocate more readily; also, due to the fact that the clipper knifeis not constant in its operation, that is, not uniform. It has an aircushion to take up the shock of its reciprocating movement, and thisprovides a varying length of stroke which upsets the precise and uniformtiming of the instrument, permitting the slight error. My controlmechanism reduces this error to such a small magnitude that it isconsidered zero in practical operation. The control mechanism of myinvention is instantaneous, being governed by the advancing sheetitself.

Some of the older clipping mechanisms do have intermittent travel of theplywood sheet and, accordingly, the production is reduced by thatamount. However, the more modern devices do not have intermittentaction. An object of my invention is to provide for operating uponeither intermittent or continuous runs of the feed belt carrying thestock; that is, the plywood laminae or veneer sheets. This isaccomplished in my invention by causing the operation of the clipperknife and the start and travel of the feed belt in same sequence by theadvancing sheet.

Accordingly, a fundamental purpose of my invention is to overcome theobjections of such wasteful operation as is set forth hereinabove and toprovide automatic control mechanism for the clipper which will cause theclipper to oper-- ate with precision by the veneer sheet itself.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a means of measuring thepredetermined width of a panel without any mechanical, physical, contactwith said veneer sheet, whereby slippage incident to roller meteringmeans, side drag diinculties, causing breaking of the sheet, and jumpingof any roller means due to chips which may have fallen upon the sheet,or any slippage due to the wetness of the sheets or the pressure of theroller breaking bulged portions of the laminae, are eliminated.

The above mentioned general objects of my invention, together withothers inherent in the same, are attained by the mechanism illustratedin the following drawings, the same being preferred exemplary forms ofembodiment of my invention, throughout which drawings like referencenumerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the device embodying myinvention, the device bein positioned alongside of the oiT-bear beltfrom the knife;

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal elevation;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view of the light selectorand collector boxwith part broken away showing deflection of a plurality of light beamsfrom the lamps to a single photoelectric cell;

Fig. 5 is a view in cross section on dotted line 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in detail of the light beam deflector-mounting meansFig. '7 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the light mountingsaddle;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in plan of the device of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a schematic drawing of a clipper knife mechanism showingcompressed air actuating means connected to the draw bar of said clipperknife and conventional four-way rotary valve;

Fig. 10 is a schematic drawing of the rotary valve, attached solenoids,the reversing switches for said clipper knife draw bar, and wiringconnections to the control box wiring diagram of Fig. 16.

Fig 11 is a view in elevation of the control box;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the panel of the control box;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the control box shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a schematic view showing general arrangement and location ofthe peeler log lathe, in-bear belt or tray, control box, clipper knife,electronic control mechanism and off-bear belt;

Fig. 15 is a view illustrating how the light beams may be crossed toprovide lengths of panels intermediate the settings of the lights; and

Fig. 16 is a view of the electrical wiring diagram mostly contained inthe control box.

The device has a mounting frame havin foot supports I and H104: whichmount upstanding columns, or posts, NH and IiiIa. Each column IOI andIOIa supports an elbow I02 and I921; into which elbows are insertedupper extension arms I03 and Him, respectively. Each of the extensionarms carries on its end clamps I04 and 34a (not shown), which act asmounting means for a short vertical member I and I051; on which ismounted the light collector and oval form (cross section) selectorhousing I00 having drums I01 and I08 integrally formed on the endsthereof. Brake-like bands I09 secure the drums I01 and I38 to membersI05. Bands I09 have adjustable securing bolts I I0 welded thereto. Thelight collector and selector housing I05, Fig. l dotted line and Fig. 5,is preferably of general oval-like form and has longitudinal axis IIIwhich axis is also the axis of each of the drums I0! and I08. Axis IIIpasses through the focal point of the photoelectric cell prism collectorso that rotation of the housing I08 at all times maintains the radiusrelation of light deflectors hereinafter described as mounted in slotsof said housing with the axis II I whereby the angleof deflectionremains constant when in a plane with the light beams of lampshereinafter described. Drums I01 and I0 3, in connection with brake-likebands I09, render the light collector and selector housing I26 angularlyadjustable to plane of light beams of said lamps, as stated, to behereinafter described. The light collector and selector housing I05 hasalong its bottom portion a slot Iilfia, Figs. 1 and 5, functioning as anaperture for the reception of light beams only, hereinafter described,i. e., other light is substantially excluded.

On each side of the light collector and selector housing I35 areoppositely disposed slots as II2, II3, H4, I I5 and I I6, i. e., saidslots are arranged in pairs, Fig. 2. In these slots are mounted lightdeflecting mirrors H1, H8, H9, I2ii and I2I. These deflector mirrors maybe mounted in any suitable manner as by rubber cement on steel platesIlla, Ilila, IIta, I224: and I2Ia, which are welded to rods I22, Figs. 4and 6. These deflector means are mounted identically as respects eachother and on each of the ends of rods I22 are threaded knurled lockingnuts I23, I24, I25, I26 and I2! for holding said rods in place in theirrespective slots. Since said slots, Fig. 4, have different location withrespect to axis III, in order that deflected lightmeans having differentangles of incidence will clear the others, knurled nuts I24 and I25 donot appear in Fig. 3.

Upright members IOI and IOI a are joined together at their base by twopipes I28 and I29, Fig. 2. These pipes have integrally formed on theirend portions joined band clamps I30 and I3I, respectively. These clampsI30 and I3I have bolts I30a and I3Ia for making the clamps tight ontheir respective uprights. Upon pipes I28 and I20 are mounted lampmounting arms I32, I33, I34, I35 and I36, Fig. 3. These lamp mountingarms haveclamping plates I31, I38, I39, I40 and I4 I respectively, sothat the lamp mountin arms may be clamped securely to rods I28 and I29.This mounting provides for horizontal sliding of the lamp mounting armsupon the cross pipes I28 and I29, Fig. 2, but, however, always maintainits lamp arm at a definite elevation as respects slotted table I42, Fig.1, for supporting conveyor belt I42a. 0n the opposite ends of lampmounting arms I32 to I36, inclusive, are located lamp means I43, I43a,I431), I430 and MM, each of which have identical construction, Figs. 2and 3. A cutout portion I44 leaving an opening in the end of each of thelamp mounting arms is provided. In this opening I44, a cradle I 45,Figs. 7 and 8, functioning as a mounting for said lamp means, isadjustably swingingly mounted so as to permit the cradle to swing in avertical plane on pivots I45a. Lamp means I43 has a lamp housing I46which is rotatively mounted in this cradle I45 in an axis normal to thatof the cradle so that it can revolve in a plane normal to that of thecradle I45 thereby providing universal adjustment. In this lamp housingI46 there is mounted an electric light bulb, or lamp, I46a, and securedto the light housing I46 is a light focusing tube I4! with a lightconcentrating focusing lens I4Ia, Fig. '7. A bolt I48 having clampingnuts I49 is pivotally mounted to the light housing cradle I45 so thatthe cradle can be adjustably rotated and held in the vertical plane toadjust the light beams of the lamps I46a with respect to the lightdeflecting means H1, H8, H9, I20 and I2I,Fig. 4.

Drums I01 and I08 in connection with brakelike bands I09 render thelight collector and selector housing I06 angularly adjustable to theplane of light beams from said lamp means I43.

Pipes I28 and I29, respectively, may be adjusted vertically by means ofclamps I30 and I3I, thus changing their spaced relation with respect tothe table I42.

Referring in general to Fig. 4, on post I05 carried by arm I03, Fig. 2,(that is, the arm furthest from the clipper mechanism hereinafterdescribed) there is mounted a conventional electronic unit I50comprising a photoelectric cell prism, and relay, the photoelectric cellbeing actuated by a light beam, the current thereby created beingrectified by an electronic tube, and this current in turn operating arelay mechanism --said unit being conventional and therefore shown onlyschematically. Between the peeler log I50a from which the veneer sheetI52 is peeled and the clipper electronic control mechanism of myinvention, there is located a clipper mechanism I5I Fig. 9. It will beunderstood that the sheet of veneer I52 is carried by in-bear belts I53to the clipper off-bear belts IdZa supported by a slotted table meansI42.

The clipper means, Fig. 9 (same forms no part of my invention) comprisesa knife I5Ia mounted between guides. I 55 and I56. Rollers I51 and IE3may be disposed between the ends of the knife I5Ia and said guides. Thisknife is mounted on toggle links I59 pivotally secured to said knife atone end of said links. The other end of said links is fastened to a drawbar I20. Second links I6I are pivotally mounted to said draw bar at acommon pivotal point with links 159. "This second link is also pivotallymounted on a fixed bar 162. At each end of the draw bar I60 is a, pistonI63 (right hand) operating in cylinder 164. This cylinder I64 isalternately supplied with compressed vfluid,as air, supplied by conduitsI85 and I66. At the opposite end of draw bar I60 is piston I6! operatingin cylinder I 68 (left hand) which is likewise supplied with compressedfluid, as air, through pipes I69 and I 10. The compressed fiuid iscontrolled by rotary valve 'I'II to which intake pipe I12 conveys thecompressed fluid, and pipe I13 forms the exhaust from said rotary valve'I1'I. Pipes I14 and I15 selectively connect with ports I16 and I11respectively in rotary valve I1I. Likewise pipes I18 and I19respectively selectively connect with ports I 80 and I8I in rotary valveI1I. Rotary valve I1'I has passageways I82 and I83. The rotary valve I1I is mounted on shaft 184 and on this shaft is keyed a lever arm I85 onthe ends of which are pivotally connected solenoid cores I86 and 181 foroperation within solenoids I88 and I09 respectively.

Solenoid I88 (right), Fig. 10, and solenoid I89 (left) .are connected bycommon conductor I90 which continues through relay normally open contactI9I '(S.R.I of wiring diagram, Fig. 16.) to main supply line I92 (L.I).The other leg of solenoid I88 (right) is connected by conductor I93 inseries with reversing switch I94 (right) through relay normally opencontact I95 (S.R.2) to main supply line I96 (L.2). Conductor I93 iscommon conductor between reversing switch I94 (LS3) (normally open) andreversing switch I91 (LS3) (normally open) and counter line .228 (LA)and normally open relay contact I95 (SR2) and supply line I96 (L.2).Conductor 193a connects the right solenoid I88 with conductor I90 andreversing switch (right) I94 (LS3). Conductor I931) connects leftsolenoid I89 with conductor I90 and with reversing switch I91 (LS3)normally open. When draw bar I60 is in left position, reversing switchI91 (LS3) is closed and reversing switch I94 (LS3) is open, andvice-versa when draw bar I60 is in opposite (right) position. Reversingswitches I94 (L.S.'3) and I91 '(L.S.3) have respectively contact arms226 and 221 which engage projecting bevelled platform 209 carried bydraw bar I60.

As respects limit switches I 98 (LS!) and I99 (L.S.2), when draw bar I50is at either end of stroke (i. e., when knife I5I a is raised) limitswitches I98 (L.S.I) and I99 (LS2) are closed, i. e., they hold allpreset relays hereinafter described in connection with wiring di agramof control box 200, Fig. 16, which box has control panel I. As anexample of one of said preset relays we may refer to relay 229 beingheld by its contact 230 (2.R.I when push button 2I0b has been pres ed toenergize coil to close relay 230 (2.R.'I). When the draw bar I60 is inintermediate position (knife I5Ia at bottom of stroke), then limitswitches I98 (L.S.I) and I99 (L.S.2) momentarily open allowing heldrelays to drop out, that is, when limit switch I99 (L.S.2) opens thenthat de-energizes relay 229 (2B) which returns contact 230 (2.R.I) toits normally open position. Thus is prevented repeated operation of thesize represented by light I430 (2L) where we have simple singleselective operation. Said limit switch I98 (L.S.I) is connected byconductor 202 in series with main supply line I92 (L.I) through normallyopen relay contact 284 (A.R..I)

through relayf'205 (A.R.) to main supply line I96 (L.2). Said limitswitch I99 (L.S.2) is connected by conductor 203 in series on one sidewith main supply line I92 (L.I) and on the other side said conductor 203passes through a connection with secondary line 206 (L.3) and throughlight I43d (IL) to main supply line I96 (L.2). Said limit switches I98(L.S.I) and I99 (L.S.2) have arms 242 and 243 which are held at angle bystops 244 and 245 so that they are operated by engaging projectingplatform 208 attached to draw bar I60. When this draw bar is raised ateither end of its stroke these limit switches I98 (L.S.'I) and I99(L.S.2) are closed, which means that current conductors 202 and 203 areenergized excepting as their connecting conductors are otherwiseinterrupted.

A three-contact relay 246 '(I.R.) having two normally open contacts 241(I.R.I)* and 248 (I R2) and one normally closed contact 235 (I.R.'3) iscontrolled by normally open push button 2I'0a. Said relay 246 (IR) isheld or energized and its normaly open contact 241 (I.R.I) is closed,and its other contact 248 (I.R.2) is closed. A'three-contact relay 229(2.R.) likewise .has two normally open contacts 230 (2.R.'I) and 2'3I(2.R.2) and one closed contact 232 (2.R.3). The relay 229 (23.) hasnormally open push button 2I'0b. A three-contact relay 24I (3.2%) hastwo normally open contacts 249 (3.R.I) and 250 (3.R.a). Said relay 24I(3.13.) has a normally open push button 2I0c. A three-contactrelay 240(4B) has two normaly open contacts 2'5I ('4.R.I) and 252 (432). Saidrelay 240 (4.R.) has a normally open push button 210d. A single contactrelay 238 (5R) has single normally open contact 239 (5.R.I). It has nopush button as it is the maximum auto-- matic controlled cut.Uncontrolled manual long cut may be provided as hereinafter described.

Mode of operation Part of the mode of operation of the device embodyingmy inventionis set forth above in connection with the description of theconstruction of the same. Other portions of the mode of operation wilnow be set forth.

On the control box 209 is a panel 28! having a set of normally open pushbuttons 2I9a, 2I0b, 2I9c, 2I0d, preferably disposed in an are for theconvenience of operation of the operators fin gers, and a set of toggleswitches ZIIa, 2H1), 2IIc and ZIId. To the left is a double contactbutton 2 I2 marked scrap and on the right is a normally closed singlecontact button 2I3 marked Long Out. At the top of the panel are counters2I'4a (LC), 2I4b (2.0), 2I4c (3C), 2I4d (4.0) and 2I4e (5.C)corresponding to the push buttons 2I0a, 2I0b, 2I9c and 2I0d andcorresponding to the toggle switches 2 I la, 2! lb,

2 I I c and 2 II dthe fifth cut, namely 48 (Number 48" being used forillustration) is always automatic and therefore requires no controlbutton but does have its counter 2I4e (5.C). At the end of thecontro1box200 there is a disconnecting double pole switch 2 I 5 on mainsupply lines I92 (LI) and I98 (L2) which may be employed to disconnectthe mechanism entirely from the electric supply source. Secondary line206 (L3) has manually operated toggle switches .2IIa, 2IIb, 2H0 and 2IId.

In starting up the machine (all adjustments have been made for lightbeams for predetermined -cut dimensions required, as for example,12".button 210a, 24", button 2I9b, 32", button 9 2I0c, 36", button 2I0dand 48", all widths of veneer pieces), the following operations takeplace:

The double pole contact switch H is closed thereby energizing main lineI92 (LI) and main line I96 (L.2), and a minute is allowed to elapse forthe photoelectric cell I50 to become heated. This operation (since alllight circuits are normally closed and selective operations are achievedby interrupting the light circuits beyond the selected light, if lessthan a 48 cut, that is maximum cut, is required) has turned on all fivelights, I43d (LL), I490 (2.L). I43b (3L), I43a (5L) and M3 (5L), all ofwhich light beams are focused on the photoelectric cell I50 and theenergized cell I59 has energized photoelectric relay 220 (RE) andchanged its contact 22I (P.E.I) to contact 222 (P.E.2). The energysource from main source line I92 (LI) and main source line I99 (L2) isconnected through relay 205 (AR) which'has two normally open contacts204 (A.R.l) and 223 (A.R.2). Contact 204 (A.R.l) acts as a holdingcontact for relay 255 (A.R.) subject to interruptions by the limitswitch I98 (L.S.I) which occurs when th said switch momentarily opensand when the knife reaches the bottom of its stroke. This interruptionserve-s to release relay 205 (A.R.) and its associated contacts toprevent knife I5Ia making a double cut or causing knife I5Ia to actcontinuously. While contact 204 (A.R.I) is so acting as a holdingcontact, contact 223 (A.R.2) has become a cocked contact, 1. e., closedcontact, but unenergized as the photoelectric relay switch 220 (RE) iscontacting contact 222 (P.E.2) as stated above.

During the period described above, the knife I5 la is inoperative, thatis, is in elevated position. For illustration, to show operation of theknife I5i a, we will first take (that is, press) the scrap button 2I2which is normally closed in series in counter line 224 (L5) Bydepressing the scrap button 2I2 counter line 224 (L5) is interrupted anda through contact is made from supply line I92 (LI) and supply line I96(L.2) through the normally open two contact relay 225 (S.R.)-the longcut button 2 I 3 being normally closed. The relay 225 (SR) has twonormally open contacts i9l (SBA) and I95 (S.R.2). When the scrap button2I2 is pressed then contact I9I (S.R.I) and contact I 95 (S.R.2) areclosed by reason of energizing relay 225 (S.R.) allowing current to flowthrough the selected solenoid I88 right or I89 left-the right and leftreferring to theright or left hand end of the draw bar I60 of theclipper mechanism I5I This selection depends upon the position of thedraw bar I60. When it is in left position, then the reversing switch I91(L.S.3) is in closed position (that is, by the upward pressing of arm22'! by projecting platform 209 on draw bar I99). When draw bar I60 isto the right the reversing switch I94 (L.S.3) takes a closed position.The above scrap operation is independent of the light circuits and isprovided as a manual operation to enable the operator to clip out animpaired or defective portion of the veneer sheet which may be of varieddimensions, providing one cut by knife I5Ia for each momentary contactof the button.

When this scrap button 2I2 was depressed then the relay 225 (S.R..) wasclosed as respects contact I9I (S.R.I) and contact I95 (SR2), and itwill be assumed that the left solenoid I89 was the one to be operated asillustrated on wiring diagram, Fig. 16, by reversing switch I91 (L.S.3)which" shows said switch I9! (L.S.3) in closed position, and the knifeI5Ia made a cut because when the left solenoid I89 was operated itrotated the four-way valve I'II so that air pressure in cylinder I68caused the piston I61 to force the draw bar I59 to the opposite rightdirection as did also the air pressure in cylinder I65. In doing so theknife I5Ia descended, made a clip and returned to elevated position withdraw bar I60 to the right. When the scrap button 2I2 was depressed thecounter circuit 224 (L5) was disconnected because it was not desired tokeep any record of the number of scrap pieces.

Example illustrating manual operation This means that the veneer sheethas good material followed by defects. For illustration, the operationwill be described for cutting pieces of veneer 24" wide, meaning therebypressing push button 2I0b, and indicating a similar operation forcutting a 36" wide piece, which means operating push button 2 I 0d, andautomatically cutting a piece 48" wide, which requires no buttondepression. For such manual operation all toggle switches 2| la, 2| Ib,2| lo, and 2| Id are manually moved into closed position in secondaryline 206 (L3) which will give a maximum cut of 48" if no further manualactuation of the buttons 2I 5a, 2 I 9b, 2 I 90 and 2 I 011 is performed.

For a 24 cut the following is the procedure:

Depress push button 2I0b. This button closes th circuit to the relay 229(2B) between secondary line 206 (L3) and main supply line I (L2). Relay229 (2R) has two contacts normally open 239 (2.R.I) and 23! (23.2) andnormally closed contact 232 (2.R.3) When relay 229 (2B) was energized bydepressing button 2I0b contact 23I (2.R.2) is closed, which is thecounter circuit, but is unenergized until contact I9i (S.R.I) andcontact I95 (S.R.2) are closed at the time of clipping by the knifeI5Ia. When contact 230 (2.R.I) is closed it becomes a holding contactand replaces the depressed button 2I0b and contact 232 (2.R.3) in line206 (L3) is opened thereby de-energizingall lights beyond I230 (2.L).Thus lights I43d (LL) and I 43c (2.L) have their beams concentrated andreflectedupon photoelectric cell i543 thereby energizing the cell relay220 (RE) and causing the closing of contact 222 (P.E.2), therebyenergizing relay 205 (A.R.) allowing current to flow from main supplyline I92 (L. I) across to supply line I99 (L.2) and thus closing contact206 (A.R.I) acts as a holding contact for relay 295 (A.R.) and contact223 (A.R.2) is in series with relay 225 (SR) but is inoperative untilrelay 220 (RE) of the photoelectric cell unit I50 is de-energized by theadvancing sheet of veneer E52, Fig. 1, which cuts off the light beam.

All this occurs as follows, referring to the wiring diagram, Fig. 16:

As the flow of the veneer sheet I52 interrupts lights I 43d (LL) and I430 (2L) progressively (that is, they both have to be covered), thephotoelectric cell i553 becomes darkened and oe-energized which causesthe photoelectric cell relay 220 (RE) to close contact 22I(P.E.I)-normal ly open contact 229 (A.R.2) having been previously closedby thel ight energized photoelectric- (L2) through solenoid either rightI88 or left I89, as determined by reversing switches I94 (L.S.3) or I91(L. S.3). Upon operation'of said solenoid, the knife I5Ia under air.pressure descends and at the bottom of the stroke limit switches I98(L.S.I) and I99 (LS2), which are normally closed, are temporarily opened(see Fi which shows that when the draw bar I69 descends it leaves thestrips 242 and 243 of said switches held by their stops 244 and 245inclined in their lowest position), thereby breaking the circuit torelay 229 (2B), and which drops out holding contact 239 (2.R.I) forrelay 229 (2R). This returns contact 232 (2.R.3) to closed position andopens contact 23I (2.R.2) Completion of the cycle (that is, raising ofthe knife I5Ia after it has momentarily descended) closes limit switchesI98 (L.S.I) and I99 (L.S.2). The closing of contact 232 (2.R.3)re-energizes lights I43b (3L), I43a (4.L) ad I43 (5.L), the beams ofwhich lights are then reflected upon the photoelectric cell I59 as nextexplained Contact 23I (2.R.2) was closed in series with counter 2I4b(2.C) when three-contact relay 229 (2R) was energized although not thenenergized. Counter 2I4b (2.0) was energized upon the closing of contactsI8I (S.R.I) and I95 (S.R.2) causing the counter 2I4b (2.0) to registerone actuation, that is, one cut or piece of veneer by the knife I5Ia.The clipped veneer sheet passes ahead faster than the incoming sheetsince the off-bear belt I54 runs faster than the infeed belt I53, andthus causes an opening between the leading edge of the infed sheet I52and the trailing edge of the sheet just clipped on the off-bear feedI54. Thereupon one of the five lights I43 to I43d inclusive is permittedto pass through the opening 234, Fig. 1, in the table I42, and theopening provided between the trailing edge of the clipped piece and theslower advancing edge of the sheet I52. Such light re-energizes thephotoelectric cell I59 which results in holding relay 229 (RE) with itscontact 222 (P.E.2 in closedposition, and this in turn re-energizesrelay295 (A.R.). Thereupon the knife I5Ia is in an inoperative position untilthe selected light beams and those ahead of it are again interrupted.Let it be remembered that no long as any one of the light beams I43,I43a to I43d inclusive is reflected upon the photoelectric cell I59 theknife is held in an inoperative position.

As stated, the above describes the cycle of operation for cutting a 24"sheet, since the operation of light I430 (2L) is the second light whichhas been assumed tobe adjustably mounted with respect to rods I28 andI29, Fig. 2, to provide a 24" width for the piece of veneer.

For cutting a 36" sheet, push button 2IIcl is operated and a similarcycle of operations resultslight I45a (4L) being interrupted by theadvancing edge of the sheet I52 in this instance.

For cutting a 48 sheet, all lights I 43d (LL), I430 (2L), I431) (3L),I43a (4L) and I43 (5.L) are normally automatically on, and contacts 235(I.R.3) and 232 (2.R.3), contact 236 (3.R.3) and contact 231 (4.R.3) areall normally closed and. therefore electric energy from the mainline'I92 (L.I) and main line I96 (L2) is in series with relay 238 (5R),which relay 238 (5R) controls only one normally open contact, namely,239 (5.R .I), and this is counter contact 2I4e (5.0). The above isautomatic operation for the 48 width of clipped veneer.

For automatic operation for any other size of sheet, for example, a 36"size, to provide automatic continuous operation for this 36f"size as 5.maximum, toggle switch 2| Id is opened in line 295 (L3) and closed inseries with relay 249 (4.3.) Thereupon, obviously, all operation aboverelay 249 (4R) is cut off and automatic continuous operation for thesheet 36 maximum is similar to the described operation for the 48" sheetauto: matic operation.

Long cut operation, which means cutting sheets of sizes greater than 48and of a size, cut. to approximate desired lengths which are free ofdefects, normally closed button 2 I3 Long Cut (see Fig. 11) is pressedand held down. This opens circuit to relay 225 (S.R.) making. itinactive even thoughlight beams are interrupted, and when the sheet I52has reached the desired length all light beams will be interrupted andby removal of the finger from depressed button 2-I3 the circuit to relay225 (SR) is closed and normal clipping by the knife mechanism I5-Iaresults. Long cut operation is very seldom desired but is pro-, vided bythe device of my invention to give the widest range of operation. Thelong cut operation will operate the 48" counter 2I4e (5.0) because theclosing of circuit to the double normally open contact relay 225 (SR)closes contact I9I (S.R.I) and contact I (SR2) completing the circuit tocounter line 224 (1 1.5) (since scrap button 2 I 2 is normally closed onthis circuit), and the closing of contact I95 (SR2) completes thecircuit through line 228 (LA) to main supply line I96 (L.2.)

Respecting. Fig. 15: Since the light housing I46, Fig. 8, is'rotativelyadjustable, it is possible to obtain widths of clipped pieces plus orminus dimension from that dimension which would be normally provided bythe light when directed to, its corresponding mirror. Other Widths ofcuts can be obtained by slidingly adjusting the arms along bars I28 andI29. Due to the necessary width of stroke of each of the arms I32 toI36- inclusive, it is impossible to obtain cuts of the veneer sheet I52closer than about 2" when the light beams of their respective lightmeans I43 (5.L), I43a (4.L), I431) (3.L), I430 (21.) and I43d (LL) aredirectly. directed to their corresponding reflected. mirrors III to I2Iinclusive. If it is desired to provide for an intermediate width, i. e.,for two cuts less than two inches apart, such may be provided asfollowszLight means I431) (SL) is rotatively adjusted until the lightbeam intercepts top of elf-bear table I42 at the desired distance fromknife I5Ia, as 40 inches. Then 1 /2 inches or. even less. Thisis setforth to showv the range'of utility of the device embodying myinvention.

Thus it is seen that the control mechanism of myv invention provides forexceedingly accurate and precise operation as to metered dimension ofproduct. It isto be remembered thatthe veneer sheet mayvary in thicknessdependingupon the particular cut that is desired, and these varying cutsmay be run with my "control mechanism without any change in the same;

Moreover, these cuts may be exceedingly thin were h ma e a cu ately me rin-t e 13 control mechanism of my invention without any possible injuryto the same.

Furthermore, the veneer sheet may be more or less wet or dry and yet itmakes no difference with the operation of the control mechanism of myinvention.

The sheets when very thin are very light, and therefore provide verylittle or no stifiness, all of which makes no difference with my controlmechanism.

Furthermore, it is to be remembered that the veneer sheet may not lieflat upon the table and have areas of the same which are raised, and yetthis does not have any substantial effect upon the control mechanismembodying my invention.

The fact that there is no physical contact of any mechanism with theadvancing sheet to either retard it or to distort it, renders the deviceembodying my invention of great advantage.

One particular advantageous feature of my invention, among thoseelsewhere listed herein, is that a plurality of beams of light may bedeflected simultaneously upon the photoelectric cell unit and over aportion of their path to form a composite beam of light without anydisadvantage, but in fact, provide for a greater intensity of lightwhich insures by so much a positive action of the photoelectric cellunit. Having a plurality of light reflecting or deflecting means makesit possible to utilize a single photoelectric relay unit and therebyreduces the chances of air in measurement and tuning and also providesfor economical construction. The plurality of lights and deflectingmeans focused upon a single photoelectric relay unit provides for aplurality of dimensional selections each independent of the other yetactuating a single relay.

I claim:

1. An electronic control mechanism for a veneer clipper comprising amounting frame; a photoelectric cell-relay unit mounted on said frame; apiurality of light deflecting means mounted on said frame; a pluralityof lamp mounting arms supported by said frame; a lamp'mounted in theouter end portion of each of said lamp mounting arms, whereby the lightbeam of each of said lamps maybe directed upon said light deflectingmeans and then directed to said photo-electric cell-relay unit; aproduct conveyor supporting table extending across the path of saidlight beam, said table having an opening through which said light beammay pass; a veneer clipper means; a pneumatic pressure means operativelyconnected to said clipper means; a valve means for controlling saidpneumatic pressurev means; a solenoid means for controlling said valvemeans; and electric circuit means connecting said photocellrelay unit tosaid solenoid means whereby the advancing edge of a veneer sheet on saidconveyor table may intercept the light beam from said lamps and therebycontrol the operation of said clipper means through the photo-electriccell relay unit. v

2. In an automatic electronic control mechanism, a mounting meanstherefor, a photo-electric cell mounted adjacent said mounting means, alight collector selector means comprising a light collector and selectorhousing of oval form cross sectionally considered with a fixedlongitudinal slot disposed in said housing for receivinga beam of lighttherethrough; a circular end brake mounting member formed on each endportion of said houing member; and light deflecting means adjustablymounted in offset relation in said light collector selector housing,whereby the 14 lightv beams readily may be focused on said photoelectriccell.

3. In an electronic control mechanism comprising a clipper'mechanism; aninfeed conveyor belt terminating adjacent said clipper mechanism; anoil-bear conveyor mechanism disposed adjacent said clipper mechanism andto the end of said infeed conveyor mean, said off-bear conveyor meansrunning at a speed greater than said infeed belt mechanism, saidoff-bear conveyor having an opening through which a light beam may passwhereby said greater speed provides for separating the pieces of clippedveneer thereby permitting the functioning of one or more of the lightbeams to insure non-operation of the clipper until a predetermined lightbeam is intercepted; and an electronic clipper control means disposedadjacent said clipper means.

4. In an electronic control mechanism for a veneer clipper comprising amounting frame; a plurality of light deflecting members mounted on saidframe; a plurality of electric lamps adjustably mounted whereby a beamof each may be directed upon said light deflecting members; a relay of aphotoelectric cell unit in a normally closed circuit subject to beingopened by the cutting off of said reflected light of a predeterminedlamp; a clipper mechanism; and a circuit electrically connecting saidphotoelectric cell unit with said clipper mechanism.

5. An electronic control for metering and subdividing mechanism for asheet of veneer comprising a clipper mechanism; actuating means for saidclipper mechanism; belt conveyor means for advancing a sheet of veneerin association with said clipper mechanism; electric lamps providinglight beams disposed in the path of said advancing sheet of veneer; aphotoelectric relay unit responsive to said light beam whereby theenergizing of the unit maintains said actuating means inoperative, andintercepting the light beam by the advancing edge of the sheet of veneerde-energizes the unit, thereby causing the actuating means to operatethe clipper; a control box having push button and toggle electricswitches; and electric circuits operatively interconnecting said clippermechanism, photoelectric relay unit, electric lamps and control box.

6. In an electronic control mechanism for subdividing a sheet of veneerinto pieces of varying sizes, a clipper mechanism; an infeed conveyormeans for a veneer sheet terminating adjacent said clipper mechanism; anoff-bear conveyor means for pieces of clipped veneer running at a speedgreater than that of the infeed conveyor and receiving the clippedpieces from said infeed conveyor, said oil-bear conveyor means having anopening longitudinally therein; a photoelectric relay unit; a pluralityof lamps disposed in spaced relation in the direction of the travel ofthe veneer sheet, said lamps projecting light beams through the openingin said off-bear conveyor means; a plurality of light reflecting membersdisposed to receive said light beams and reflect them upon thephotoelectric relay unit; a control box having push button switches andtoggle switches disposed across main supply lines; an electric circuithaving a first main line and a second main line; a circuit extendingacross from said main first supply line to said second mainline,including therein operative connections to said clipper mechanism; arelay control circuit connected to said clipper means extending acrosssaid main lines; a photoelectric relay unit connected across said mainsupply lines; a

l plurality of lights in circuits. extending from said first main lineto said second main line; toggle, switches in said lamp circuits andrelay circuits controlling the number of same connected; and a pluralityof relay contacts. in said relay and light circuits whereby the. numberof operations of the clipper mechanism for each lamp may be controlled.

7. In an electronic control mechanism for metering and subdividingmechanism for a sheet of veneer an electric circuit having a first mainsupply line and a second main line; a circuit extending from said firstmain supply line to. said second main line, including thereinconnections to a device to be controlled; a circuit extending from saidfirst main supply line to said second main line including aphotoelectric relay unit; a plurality of interlockingv relays disposedin a circuit extending, across said first main supply line and said.second main line whereby the flow of electrical current in said linesmay be selectively controlled; a plurality of push buttons controllingsaid interlocking relays whereby the treating step determining theproduct may be controlled; a plurality of; relay operated contactsreplacing manual operation of said push buttons; aplurality ofphoto-electric relay units operating lights in circuits extending fromcontacts of said interlocking relays to said second main. line; a veneerclipper; an electrical actuating device connected to a, regulatingelement of said clipper; a; photoelectric relay unit operated by saidlights controlled by said interlocking relays; first and secondactuating relays in circuits extending from said first supply line to.said second supply line, said,v actuating relays being energized throughcontacts of the photoelectric cell relay and selectively controlledbythe contacts of said photoelectric relay, saidfirst actuating relaysetting contact for operation of said second actuating relay whenselected photoelectric relay closescontacts in circuit to saidelectrical actuating. device; and limit switches, operated'by saidclipper. for de-energizing, the interlocking relays. and actuatingrelays and re-energizing light circuits through said interlocking relaycontacts where'- by automatic operation of' the controlling relays istimed with the operation of the clipper, for. successive operation.

8. An electronic control for metering. andjsubdividing mechanism forasheet ofveneer comprising a clipper mechanism; actuating means.

for said clipper mechanism; belt conveyo means for advancing a sheet ofveneer in association with said clipper mechanism; electric lampsproviding light beams disposed in the path of said advancing sheet ofveneer; a photo-electric relay unit responsive to said light beamwhereby'the energizing of the unit maintains said actuating meansinoperative, and intercepting the light beam by the advancing edge ofthe sheet of veneer de-energizes the unit, thereby causing the actuatingmeans to operate the clipper; a controlbox having electric switches; andelectric circuits operatively interconnecting said clipper mechanism,photo-electric relay unit, electric lamps and control box.

9. In an automatic electronic control. mechanism a photo-electric cellhaving a prism where'- by light may be received for activating saidcell; a mounting means therefor; a light collectorhousing having a fixedlongitudinal slot-through which a beam of light may pas and'ha-ving itslongitudinal axis coinciding with the focal point .of thephoto-electric, cell prism; a plurality of 1'6 lamps providing beams ofvlightforactuating said photo-electric cell; and a plurality of: lightdefleeting means adjustably mounted in ofiset relation in said lightcollector housing whereby the light beams readily may be focused on saidphotoelectric cell.

10. In an electronic control mechanism, olfbear product conveyorparallel mounted belts; upright mounting posts adjacent said belt; lamparm supporting means vertically adjustable adjoining said posts; lamparms adjustably mounted. lengthwise of and beneathsaid conveyor belts;and lamps carried by said arms whereby a beam of light may be directedbetween said conveyor belts at points spaced lengthwise of said, con,-veyor belts.

11. In an electronic control mechanism, olfbear product conveyorparallel mounted belts; upright mounting posts adjacent said belt; lamparm supporting means vertically adjustable adjoining said posts; lamparms adjustably mounted lengthwise of and beneath said conveyor belts;light deflector means disposed above and lengthwise of said conveyorbelts; and lamp carried by said arms, which lamps are adjustable invertical and horizontal planes, whereby beams of light may be projectedbetween said conveyor belts selectively to one or more of said deflectomeans whereby beams of light may be projected between said conveyorbelts of less distance than the spaced relation of the said lamps.

12. An electronic control mechanism comprising a mounting frame; twospaced apart parallel product conveying beds disposed adjacent saidframe; a light deflector housing mounted on said frame on one side ofsaid conveyor beds, a photoelectric cell relay unit mounted in one endof said housing; a plurality of light deflecting means adjustablymounted in said housing, said deflecting means being focusable upon saidphoto-electric cell in providing for simultaneously directing lightbeams upon said cell; and a plurality of lamps on the side of saidconveyor means opposite to said housing, said lamps being adjustable todirect their light beams directly and angularly through the openingbetween said conveyor beds to deflecting means, whereby the number ofselected excitations of said photo-electric cell may be increased for agiven spacing of the lamps.

13. In an electronic control mechanism, a mounting frame; aphoto-electric cell relay unit mounted on said frame; a plurality oflight deflecting means mounted on said frame; a plurality of lampmounting arms supported by said frame, said arms having a cradleadjustably rotatably mounted in one end portion of said arm; and a lamphousing rotatably mounted on said cradlein a plane at right angles tothe rotatable motion of said cradle.

14. In an automatic electronic control mechanism, a mounting means; aphoto-electric cell mounted adjacent said mounting means; a lightcollector-selector means comprising a light collector and a selectorhousing of oval form, crosssectionally considered, with a fixedlongitudinal slot disposed in said housing for receiving beams of lighttherethrough; and light deflecting means adjustably mounted in off-setrelation in said light collector-selector housing.

15. In an electronic control mechanism for subdividing a sheet of veneerinto pieces of varying sizes, a clipper mechanism; an infeed conveyormeans for a veneer sheet terminating adjacent said clipper mechanism; anoil-bear conveyor means for pieces of clipped veneer run- 17 ning at aspeed greater than that of the infeed conveyor and receiving the clippedpieces from said infeed conveyor, said ofi-bear conveyor means having anopening longitudinally therein; a photo-electric relay unit; a,plurality of lamps disposed in spaced relation in the direction of thetravel of the veneer sheet, said lamps projecting light beams throughthe opening in said oiT-bear conveyor means; a plurality of lightreflecting members disposed to receive said light beams and reflect themupon the photo-electric relay unit; a control box having electricswitches across the main supply lines; electric circuit having a firstmain line and a second main line; a circuit extending across from saidmain first supply line to said second main line, including thereinoperative connections to said clipper mechanism; a relay control circuitconnected to said clipper means extending across said main lines; aphoto-electric relay unit connected across said main supply lines; aplurality of lights in circuits extending from said first main line tosaid second main line; toggle switches in said lamp circuits and relaycircuits controlling the number of same connected; and a plurality ofrelay contacts in said relay and light circuits, whereby the number ofoperations of the clipper mechanism for each lamp may be controlled.

DONALD C. PORTER.

18 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

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